Galatians 2:16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

Under the Old Testament, the only way to become righteous before God was to obey all His commandments. If you broke just one commandment you were considered unrighteous and you would come under God’s judgment. No one was considered righteous under the Old Testament because no one could keep the Law perfectly. All the people, before the cross, were considered the children of God’s wrath.

Under the New Testament Jesus came to this earth to represent us to God and God to us. He lived a perfect life and completely obeyed all the Laws of Moses. He fulfilled the Law by obeying it perfectly. He was a perfect man which made Him a perfect sacrifice for our sins. He was an innocent man. On the cross, He traded places with us. He took our sin, our guilt, and our judgment for sin into His own body. He died on the cross for our sins. In exchange, He gave us His perfect righteousness, innocence, and abundant life. All who will believe the gospel God counts their faith as righteousness. Under the New Testament, we are considered the children of God’s mercy.

​It is impossible for you to earn your righteousness by your good works and obedience to God’s perfect laws. All who try fall short and fall under condemnation. All who will believe the gospel become righteousness because of their faith in Jesus finished work on the cross.